Lone Star allowance pits stakes winners against siblings of star runners

Lone Star Park will field arguably its most interesting allowance race of the meet Thursday night, when stakes winners Heavenville and Polka Joke take on siblings to Goldikova, Student Council, and Wasted Tears at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The race is expected to produce starters for upcoming stakes at Louisiana Downs and Remington Park.

Lone Star’s program Thursday will have a special twilight first post of 5 p.m. Central to accommodate a fireworks display following the races. The allowance goes as the seventh race.

Heavenville is the most accomplished member of the field as a multiple stakes winner who has earned $378,682. In his most recent start June 16, he was third as the favorite in a one-mile turf allowance at Lone Star. Heavenville began his bid behind an opening half-mile in 50.37 seconds.

“It was a slow pace,” said Allen Milligan, who trains the horse for Danny Keene. “He came running late, like he always does. I hope there’s some pace in here.”

Milligan said Heavenville is a long-range candidate for the $100,000 Turf Classic during the Louisiana Cup program at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 17.

The chief threat could be Que Deseo, who is a half-brother to Wasted Tears, a multiple Grade 2 winner who earned more than $900,000. Que Deseo can be closer to the pace than Heavenville and might appreciate the added ground he picks up for what will be his third start since October.

Ocean Seven is a half-brother to Goldikova, the three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and an earner of $7 million. He comes off a first-level allowance win at Lone Star and is a candidate for the $75,000 Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Handicap at Remington Park on Aug. 24, according to trainer Steve Borunda.

Class President is a full brother to Student Council, a Grade 1 winner who earned $1.5 million. Class President won a second-level allowance in his last start June 8 at Lone Star.

The field also includes Formaggio, who was third in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap in May.

The allowance also could produce starters for the $50,000 Barksdale Stakes at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 3.